irwin



July 5 1927. 1,634,362

J. P. IRWIN SELF PROPELLED RAIL CAB Filed Oct-l3, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 1a INVENTOR.

Join? lfi'zuz'z A TTORNEYIS' July 5 1927.

J. P. lR-WIN 5mm PROPELLED RAIL cm Fil O 1924 2 Sheets-Shea! 2 INVENTOR.352222 1 Iran :1

ATTORNEYS Patented July 5, i927.

UNITED STATES 1,634,362 PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN P. IRWIN, OF ROCKY RIVER, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO ARTHUR G. MQKEE & COM-PANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

SELF-PROPELLED RAIL OAR.

Application filed October 13, 1924. Serial No. 743,242.

The present improvements, relating, as indicated, to self propelled railcars, have more particular regard to cars designed for in dustrial useas for the haulage of materials 6 about plants, mines and the like. Itwill be understood, however, that the novel features of constructionpresented may be employed in rail cars of other types and designed forwidely different uses.

One principal object of the invention is to provide a self propelledrail car in which the motivepower is derived from an internal combustion(gas or oil) engine. Another object is to support such engine withaccessory operating elements, as well as necessary control and operatingelements for the car proper, on a truck frame that is capable ofswiveling independently of the main frame of the car proper. To theaccomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention, then,consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularlyointed out in the claims, the annexed drawings and the followingdescription setting forth in detail certain mechanism embodying theinvention, such disclosed means constituting, however, but one ofvarious mechanical forms in which the principle of the invention may beused. y

In said annexed drawings Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a self propelledrail car embodying my present improvements; Fig. 2 is a broken plan viewof the same; Fig. 3 is a rear elevation thereof, 5 the car being viewedfrom the left as shown in Fig. 1; and Fig. 1 is a broken transversesection taken on the plane indicated by the lines 4- 1, Figs. 1 and 2.

The particular type of car illustrated in 0 the drawin s is an oretransfer car such as used about blast furnaces for hauling ore or othermaterials from one point to another. The car is accordingly providedwith a hopper body 1, the lower portions of the sides whereof slopeinwardly so thatthe material may be discharged on either side of theoppositely sloping bottom 2 by opening one or the other of the higedgates 3. Two sets of toggles 1, each 0 erated by means of a pressure.fluid cylinclbr 5 with piston (not shown), are provided for opening thegates 3 or retaining them closed as desired. Such operating cylindersand pistons, as shown in Fig. 1, are preferably located at one end of 56the car body 1 and adjacent thereto air tanks 6 are carried in theframework 7 that supports the corresponding end of the body.

Such body and framework 7 are built upon a main frame 8 of more or lessstandard construction, the principal members composing such frame beingtwo longitudinal beams or sills 9, one on each side, which extend to theright far enough to have swiveled support upon a standard car truck 10.At the opposite end the beams 9 project similarly beyond thecorresponding end of the body 1 and are united at their ends by a crossbeam or bolster 12. The latter is centrally supported by a swiveledmounting 13, preferably provided with anti-friction rollers on a truck14 of special design. This truck is in effect an independent tractorunit, being provided with a platform 15 that lies above and clear of thecross-beam or bolster 12 and serves as a support for the engine by whichthe truck and thus the car are propelled. Such engine is housed within ahood 16, similar to that regularly employed in motor trucks, and to therear of such hood is located a cab 17 for the operator.

As best shown in Fig. e

1, the portions 1 1 of the side-frame mem rs composing truck 14, thatlie intermediate of the axles 18 are dropped below the ends of saidmembers and so provide ample space for any oscillation of the bolster 12relatively to the truck. The truck springs 19, it will be noted, areinterposed between the journals of the axles and the portions of suchside-frame members in which such axles are held. The latter are thuspermitted necessary independent vertical movement in passing over anuneven track.

The one side of cab 17, as best shown in Fig. 2, is olfset with respectto the center line so as to provide clear vision forward and back forthe operator, the seat 20 which is located adjacent this side beingreversible in position, as indicated in dottedoutline, and the cab wherethus extending beyond the platform and over the beam or sill 9, setssufficiently above to afford clearance. The fuel tank 21 is preferablylocated between the hood 16 and cab 17, as is also an air compressor 22,while all the elements for controlling the operation of the engine arelocated in the cab 17 conveniently within the reach of the operator whenoccupying seat 20. As shown, such elements include a J to;

clutch pedal23, gas throttle 24L, brake valve 25 and spark'leveri26,together with a gear shift lever 27 In addition to the control devicesfor the engine and motor truck 14,

r The driving connecti 'wheels on the rails.

there are. alsoblocated in thecab, adjacent the operators. seat, valves29 for contro-l- 1 ling the operation of the gates 3 Where a hopper bodyof the type described is em' plyedfand valves 30 for operating the usualsanding devices to prevent slipping of the ons bet Ween the Yengine andthefvvheels 31? are preferably of the sprocket cliain"type,,one suchchain 32 connecting a, transverse shaftfig on' plat formf15 withthexrear wheels SLof' said truck and another chain 34 connecting suchrear Wheels ,vviththe forward; heels; It

willbe understoodthatsaid transverse shaft- 33" isadriven from theengine through a transmission gear of} standard construction;

such gear beingshifted'to change'thespeed by means of the. lever. 27

f Asa result of the foregoing construe.-

tion, it will beseen'that the. tractor unit comprising truck 14: withengine and op eratorscab mounted thereon is in effect independent of thecar body 201- rea'r the main frame 8; on which such body issupported,except as the oneend. of the latter has a sivivelconnection' with saidtruck; ll the elements for-[controlling the operation, of

the engine,' as well n as the b raking and sanding devices ofthecarandthe gate operat.

the one explained, change beingmade; as

regards the mechanism herein disclosed, provided the;- means' stated byany of; the

following claims; or the equivalent of such.

stated means beemployed; p, v

Itherefore particularly point out an distinctly'clailnas my invention lIn al self-propelled rail car the c ombi f nationof a supporting truck adrive truck;

and a car having walls and mainframe sills,1 Said jdrlve truck :havmvan; operatlng plat form spacedlendivise from said car alls and disposedfor clearance within the sills.

" Wise mounted'onvsa-id platforms v. v

' 2. In a self-propelled rail car, the combis on, swiveling movement .ofsaid truck, an

engine for drivingfsaid truck-mounted on;

said .p1'atform,ij and fcontrol elements both for said engine andfor-the car properlike nation of asiipportingflt'ruek; a drive truck;

and ammain car frame svviveled at its ends on Said tlu0k$ 1:8$ReCtlVely,said dr ve truck heretofore referred 7 including side frame members with"depressedportions intermediate of their ends and a transverse memberconnecting, such depressed 'PQIiSIODS WhBI'GOII said main car frame isthusswiveled, the axles of the truck being mounted in"eoiresponding endsof said side frame members, compression springs interposedbetween saidaxles and members,

and a platform supported on the ends of said side frame members" so asto clear said main car frame.

3. Inl aiself-propielled eoinbinetion ofa standard true atractor truck;a. transverse bolster swiveled on; said tractor truck;

a main frame" swiveled at one end on said- Standard truck and includingl "tudinal beams supported; at the other; en of said" frame on saidbolster; acar body. onseizd p frame hinged gates I in said body; 1 anon? i a. o truck' ndependently of said mam frame;sard

platform supported on said tractor.

platform above the bolster and be v V t e n the beamsof said mainframeiand control elements carried on the platform for;

said engine and forfsaid gatesg 4. In a self-propelled car, the of asupporting truck; a drive truck, a trans-.

verse bolster swiveled on said drive; truck at a point intermediateofthe. front and rear Wheels thereof; a main frame 'swiveled oneend onsaid su porting truck and include other end of-said frame on saidbolster; ;a. p etfe m u p r e on e il truekiin dependently of'said mainframe, sa.id plat combination ingflongitudinal eamsterminating at'Ytheieo form lying above the} bolster and between;

the beams ofvthe mainframeg and an engine mount-ed: 01 1 said platformand having driv ing connections with the truck vv'heel s. v

5. Ina selfrpropelled car, the combination of a standard truck;aitractorfltruck; a tr ms: V

verse "bolster swiveled on said tractor ata point intermediate of;the;fro1itr and rearwhe'els thereof; amaiin frameiswiveled at}.

one end on saidstanderdtruck elndeincluding longitudinal beams supportedat the other end of said frameon said bolster fa platform supported onsaid tractor. 'truek' independentlyofsaid main frame, said form lying,above said bolster 7 between the I beams; of, said mainframe an engine.7

iniou'nted on i the "forward portion offlsagid;

platform; and having driving, connection-s with the rear .vvheelsthereof and an; opera:

torls cab mounted'on the. reare por'tion of said "latform and extendingy laiterallyl above said eams V: I 1

71- 2.? 7 6'. In a self-propelledi'car the combination are standardtruck; aftrector truck,. ,saidj* tractor truck including sideframeme'mbers; with depressed" P01130118. intermediate (of I a theirends andfaitransversemember colinect in such depressed" portionsgaftransversej bo ster swiveled on saidwtransverse member; i a m mi iswve e e wee standard truck and including longitudinal beams supported atthe other end of said frame on said bolster; a platform supported onsaid tractor truck independently of said main frame, said platform lyingabove said bolster and between the beams of said main frame; an enginemounted on the forward end of said platform and having drivingconnections with the rear wheels thereof; and an operators cab mountedon the rear 10 portion of said platform and extending laterally abovesaid beams.

Signed by me, this 10th day of October, 1924.

JOHN P. IRWIN.

